this was a good find Jean, and thanks to Ilbegone for inspiring some research
As usual, another government giveaway to farmworkers and farmers. This program is all over the state already. Grants from government get it started, and then who knows? maybe it'll be like foodstamps and become a near entitlement
It's here in Sac too
Quote:
Discussion: The Agricultural Worker Transportation Program (AWTP) is a state initiative to provide
safe and affordable transportation for agricultural workers. SACOG has received over $2 million
dollars in AWTP grant funds to provide transportation services. Grant funds sunset on June 30, 2011.
The AWTP Vanpool Business Plan final report is now complete and will be available on the SACOG
website by February 1, 2010. PRM Consulting has completed a study that leverages almost 1,600
survey responses within the four-county RTPA planning area. The key finding of the report is that the
development of a self-sustaining vanpool program is feasible over a 15-18 month period.
Over the past several months SACOG staff and its Agricultural Worker Technical Advisory
Committee have evaluated several alternatives for implementing an agricultural worker transportation
program in the SACOG region. Staff has met with the Executive Director of KCAPTA, the operator
of the model agricultural worker transportation program, and visited the program offices in Kings
County to evaluate the operation and to determine if a partnership with KCAPTA would be the most
effective and efficient way of implementing the program in the SACOG region. Staff and SACOG
counsel from Miller, Owen & Trost, have met several times to discuss, evaluate and develop
recommendations as to the best way to implement this new program.
The recommended implementation of this program would be a two step process. The first step is for
SACOG to enter into a MOU with KCAPTA to begin immediate implementation of the program in the
SACOG region. The second step is for SACOG join the newly forming California Vanpool Authority.
This JPA is being formed as the successor agency to KCAPTA to expand the program beyond the
current Central Valley members and to provide a long term governance structure for what is becoming
a very successful statewide program.
KCAPTA and its successor JPA are uniquely qualified to operate the AWTP program, as demonstrated
through its record of success. As a public transportation agency, KCAPTA and the new JPA do not
face the considerable legal barriers that would occur in a “farm labor” contract with a private
contractor. The proposed interim MOU with KCAPTA will allow for the timely initiation of resource
allocations, service planning and implementation until the statewide JPA is fully formed. Legal
counsel at Miller, Owen & Trost is in concurrence with the proposed governance path.
SACOG would fully finance the start up of this region’s program with the existing AWTP grant funds
and would be under no obligation for continued funding after June 30, 2011. To implement the
program, SACOG would transfer $1.758 million of AWTP grant funds to KCAPTA to implement and
operate the program and retain about $415,000 to cover the staff work already expended on evaluating
the recommended implementation approach and to cover on-going staff work associated with the
implementation, marketing and operation of the program during the remainder of the grant funded
program through June 30, 2011. The proposed business model has proven to produce an economically
self-sustaining transportation service for agricultural workers. Other AWTP grantees have already
transferred grant funds to KCAPTA and vanpool services have been expanded into other regions with
very positive results.
Approved by:
Mike McKeever
Executive Director
MM:RM:gg
Attachment
Key Staff: Matt Carpenter, Director of Transportation Services, (916) 340-6276
Jim Brown, Principal Program Expert, (916) 340-6221
Robert McCrary, Senior Planner, (916) 340-6228
|
Here's a shocker:
Quote:
What are other employers saying about aits?
They say it’s making a big difference in their bottom line. Click here for a video testimonial!
|
No sh!t Sherlock. Employers who exploit farmworkers also exploit the taxpayer for subsidized workers, and now they don't have to even have to worry about getting them to the job. It's free.
Screw farmers; shut the water off